Although few features in the animal kingdom are as magnificent as the horn of the rhino, such magnificence comes at a deadly price: The illegal rhino horn trade is responsible for decimating the world’s rhino population by more than 90 percent over the past 40 years.

“The combined loss of horns from poaching, thefts from natural mortalities, government stocks and other private collections, abuse of legal trophy hunting and illegal private sector sales suggests that a minimum of 1,521 rhino horns were destined for illegal trade in this time period. Compared to the six-year period 2000-2005 when a minimum of 664 horns were acquired for illicit trade purposes, this figure represents a two-fold increase in the annual illegal rhino horn trade in less than four years,” the report states.

Illegal rhino horn trade shifts from Yemen to China and Vietnam

In addition to the increase in trade, the 2009 study found that the majority of African rhino horns were now headed for traditional medicine markets in China and Vietnam. This indicated a shift from the previous destination of Yemen, for the purpose of crafting dagger handles known as jambiyas.

“Currently, most rhino horns leaving southern Africa are destined for end-use markets in southeast and east Asia, especially Vietnam and China; available evidence does not (at this time) implicate Yemen, another traditional end-use market in this trade,” says the IUCN/TRAFFIC report.

There had been a similar increase in illegal rhino horn movement from Nepal and India during the same time period.

“The major trade route for horns is from Assam to Kathmandu in Nepal, via Siliguri, and then on to Tibet. The ultimate destination for this horn is believed to be other markets in China.”

Rhino horn is a time-honored component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). For thousands of years, TCM has credited rhino horn with the potency to cure an unusually wide array of maladies, from headaches to pus-filled boils–and even devil possession.

Today, decades of conservation efforts are at risk of being undermined by what appears to be a reinvigorated TCM market in China and Vietnam.

But does rhino horn really have any useful medicinal properties?

Rhino horn ‘prescribed for nearly everything’

Rhino horn has been an essential ingredient in traditional chinese medicine for centuries. An unfortunate proximity to China explains why the combined total of the three Asian rhino species (Javan, Sumatran, and greater one-horned rhino) is still smaller than Africa’s critically endangered black rhino population.

Despite China being a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and banning trade in rhinoceros horn and its derivatives in 1993, current rhino poaching levels suggest that the use of rhino horn continues unabated in traditional medicine markets.

According to Bernard Read’s 1931 translation of Li Shih-chen’s 1597 materia medica Pen Ts’ ao Kang Mu, rhino horn was prescribed for nearly everything: “To cure devil possession and keep away all evil spirits and miasmas. For gelsemium poisoning. To remove hallucinations and bewitching nightmares. Continuous administration lightens the body and makes one very robust. For typhoid, headache and feverish colds. For carbuncles and boils full of pus. For intermittent fevers with delirium. To expel fear and anxiety, to calm the liver and clear the vision. It is a sedative to the viscera, a tonic, antipyretic. It dissolves phlegm. It is an antidote to the evil miasma of hill streams. For infantile convulsions and dysentery. Ashed and taken with water to treat violent vomiting, food poisoning, and overdosage of poisonous drugs. For arthritis, melancholia, loss of the voice.”

Ironically, it seems the only condition rhino horn is not prescribed for is a lagging libido.

Putting rhino horn to the test

In an effort to educate the public about the alleged curative properties of rhino horn, several scientific studies have been commissioned.

Testing was carried out in 1983 by researchers at Hoffmann-LaRoche, and followed up 25 years later with a study at the Zoological Society of London. Both studies arrived at the same conclusion: Rhino horn contains no medical properties.

Additionally, research conducted in 1990 at the Chinese University of Hong Kong was unable to produce evidence to support the wild claims of rhino horn’s curative power.

The study “found no evidence that rhino horn has any medicinal effect as an antipyretic and would be ineffective in reducing fever, a common usage in much of Asia.”

“Rhino horn, like fingernails, is made of agglutinated hair.”

Testing also confirmed that “rhino horn, like fingernails, is made of agglutinated hair” and “has no analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmolytic nor diuretic properties” and “no bactericidal effect could be found against suppuration and intestinal bacteria.”

Dr. Arne Schiotz of WWF summed it up: “This proves that rhino horn is of no use to anyone except the original owner. You would get the same effect from chewing your own fingernails.”

Rhino horn the same as ‘chewing your own nails’

Rhino horn was recently analyzed extensively by Dr. Raj Amin at the Zoological Society of London. The tests confirmed what had been found by Hoffmann-LaRoche researchers: Rhino horn contains no medical properties.
“There is no evidence at all that any constituent of rhino horn has any medical property. Medically, it’s the same as if you were chewing your own nails,” says Dr. Amin.

His analysis further revealed that rhino horn contains identifying elements–similar to fingerprints–which provide information about where the horns originated. This helps authorities determine which rhino populations are being targeted by poachers.

Watch Dr. Amin explain this in the video here:

By analyzing the chemical “fingerprint” of rhino horns, scientists help in the fight against poaching.

After inducing fever in rats with turpentine oil, the rats were injected with a dosage of rhino horn extract equal to 100 times the prescribed amount for human patients.

The rats’ rectal temperatures lowered after the injection, and the effect lasted for an hour and a half. Additional injections of rhino horn at decreasing dosage levels were administered to the rats at 30 minute intervals for three hours. The dosage levels comparable to what would be prescribed to a human patient had no antipyretic effect.

The conclusion? “Apparently, based on the results of this study, rhinoceros horn can reduce fever, but only at rather high dosage levels when prescribed as a single drug.”

Myth vs. medicine

Scientific analysis has confirmed that the notion of rhino horn as a “medicine” is nothing more than a myth–yet millions of people still persist in believing that rhino horn is a remedy.

Is this simply because rhino horn consumers do not have access to accurate information? Or has the rhino horn “business” become so profitable that belief in the curative properties of rhino horn is actually encouraged?

One thing is clear: If we hope to protect rhinos from being plundered to extinction, then we must educate consumers of rhino horn that it has no medicinal value or curative properties–before it’s too late.

Comments

hemp oil or Apricot seed for Cancer, marijuana is medicine. Farm the cure.

Bennie vd Walt

South Africa

December 22, 2014, 10:35 pm

t is not about Our Rhino Friends , it is all about money greed .
Legalizing trade will not stop poaching . The killers on the ground will be out of a job and continue to poach !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

chub

good ole USA

December 15, 2014, 2:08 pm

damn idiots.

Bhupen kalita

Guwahati, India

March 24, 2013, 7:22 am

after reading many web pages it is clear that there is no significant therapeutic effect associated with rhino horn. the claims of traditional medicine about rhino horn may be due to some other ingredient along with rhino horn or there is a chance that the patient cured psychologically. in Assam it is not at all used as medicine but it is true that some superstitious people put a small piece of rhino horn on the ring to get rid of devil and another category of people wear it just to show his wealthiness. the insurgent and terrorist groups of this region smuggling it for easy money and to purchase arms.

KMP

USA

February 9, 2013, 2:40 am

Rhino poaching or any endangered animal or plant harvesting for human use is abhorrent. With the possible exception of use to save a human life. This occurs only in very rare cases. The studies cited here are passionately defended with good reason but they are hardly conclusive. The ancient claim that: Rhino horn use in severe life-threatening fever is medicinal has some empirical basis and is still taught, but is absolutely contraindicated due to availability and sustainability of passable alternatives.

Thuthukile Urania Mkhize

South Africa

July 16, 2012, 10:16 am

If Rhino horn has no healing effects could the mindset of the person getting the prescription also be part of why people think Rhino horn has medicinal properties? Science has proven that it is possible to relieve pain and heal the body using ones mind. I feel in order for this to stop – we need to go to the source of the problem. Educate people – I know its nearly impossible but people are gonna start losing jobs in our country if we end up with a Big 4!!!

steve bryson

February 16, 2012, 7:39 am

Regarding the rat trials, obviously the rat has a much smaller body mass than humans so what increased dose would that equal in a human patient merely to reduce a fever?

Were other tests carried out with a similar extract made of, say, human fingernails? If so, did that also decrease fever?

To state that it’s a myth that rhino horn has any medicinal benefits also that it reduced fever in rats is contrary. Whilst I don’t believe that it has any unique or pronounced medicinal purpose it would be nice to see a fuller report on the rat trials in the hope that they can be dismissed otherwise this a tad irresponsible.

Shabnam Baran

SOUTH AFRICA

January 12, 2012, 5:24 am

Sapa | 11 January, 2012 10:43

Eight rhino carcasses have been found in the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks says.
“Yesterday [Tuesday] on patrol, eight rhino carcasses were found. Three carcasses were found in Lower Sabie and five in the Pretoriuskop section of the park,” said spokesman Reynold Thakhuli.

He said all the carcasses were of adults which had been shot and de-horned.

“They [officials] are busy with investigations now although there are a few leads they are working on as we speak,” said Thakhuli.

“We call upon anyone with information to contact the nearby SA Police Service.”

Last year, about 443 rhinos were killed for their horns, with 333 killed in 2010.

RHINO POACHING IS AT IT HIGHEST AT THE MOMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA. WE NEED DRASTIC MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO SAVE THESE MAJESTIC ANIMALS.

I WISH THERE WAS A WAY WE COULD STOP THIS FOREVER.

IT BREAKS MY HEART TO SEE THIS.

ansel

UK

August 17, 2011, 11:44 am

I don’t think science or fact will make any difference on the demand for Rhino horn. Seems to me this is more like some sort of mass delusion for health (craze) status – the high prices create further demand. Another case of the Emperor’s new clothes.

andrea

south africa

July 7, 2011, 12:11 pm

the bulrush the answer……Typha capensis
Bulrush, Love Reed
Typha capensis, commonly called Bulrush or Love Reed, grows in wetlands throughout South Africa. Purported to be a libido lifterwith the rhizomes being the most potent part of the plant. The Love Reed is a male sexual tonic that also improves the circulation in the area that matters. A decoction of the rhizomes are used to enhance libido and male sexual potency.

Studies have shown that the phytosteroids in Typha capensis may be metabolized to an androgen beneficial to male sex drive and performance.

“Its efficacy probably has something to do with the fact that it appears to improve circulation, opening the veins and increasing blood circulation,” says Ben-Erik van Wyk, a medicinal plant specialist and the professor of botany at the University of Johannesburg.
Traditional usage in Africa involved boiling the rhizomes in water for a few minutes and drinking one or two cups daily for a week and then once a week as needed.

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